BRIDAL ALTERATIONS2024-11-03T10:21:23+00:00

WEDDING DRESS ALTERATIONS

MAKING “THE’ DRESS INTO YOUR DRESS

We understand that your wedding day is one of the most important and memorable days of your life. At THE MODISTE, we care about making sure that your wedding dress is perfect for your special day.

Our professional and discreet seamstresses have a wealth of experience in wedding dress alterations, from altering necklines and hems, customising with beading or lacework, to adding bustles and much more.

TRUSTED BRIDAL SEAMSTRESSES

You will receive reassuring and professional wedding dress fittings with our expert bridal seamstresses. Our dress fittings take place at our private atelier in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

We have looked after thousands of brides since 2016, so you can relax knowing that you are in safe hands.

Our seamstresses have over fifty years’ collective experience ranging across many dressmaking disciplines. Our team have trained at world-class institutions such as the London College of Fashion.

The average price range of our bridal alterations is £350 to £400 and will be individually costed according to your unique needs.

“Thank you so much for fitting my wedding dress. It was such a fun experience and my dress was perfect!

My body changed a lot before my wedding day but you would never know from the quality of fit, which just shows how incredible you are.”

Zoe, wedding gown alterations

CREATE THE PERFECT FIT

After you find your wedding dress (whether it is new, secondhand or vintage), we can help with wedding dress alterations.

Most new wedding dresses are made-to-order (but not made-to-measure) so brides will seek professional help from a specialist bridal seamstress. THE MODISTE are experts in bridal alterations and can provide custom bridal accessories too (our brides love our personalised embroidered veils).

Once you have bought your dream wedding dress (perhaps from one of our bridal boutique friends in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire or Hertfordshire), book an appointment for our wedding dress alterations service.

“A huge thank you, I felt amazing on my wedding day.

Everyone commented on how beautiful my wedding dress was, especially the lace sleeves!”

Catherine, bridal alterations with custom lace sleeves

YOUR BRIDAL ALTERATIONS JOURNEY

Please book in as soon as you can for your wedding dress alterations because our diary does get booked quickly. Don’t worry if your wedding dress hasn’t arrived at your bridal boutique yet. We still advise you to contact us to secure your slot because we can move your appointment date closer to the time.

We aim to start fitting your wedding dress at least two or three months before your wedding day, if not more. Our team may need more time if you would like to make substantial changes to your wedding gown.

You will need to allow around 45 minutes for your first wedding dress appointment, depending on the alterations required.

How do alterations work if my body shape changes?2024-11-02T13:30:47+00:00

Please don’t worry. We start your wedding dress alterations around two months before your wedding day, but we don’t finish anything off on your dress until around two weeks before your wedding.

It is not a problem if your body shape changes in that time. If there are any drastic changes, we can alter our plans to suit the circumstances. Rest assured, everything will be explained and dates will be organised at your first fitting.

Can I bring any guests with me?2024-11-03T08:27:11+00:00

You are welcome to bring guests with you to your appointments and we have lovely fitting rooms that can accommodate everyone.

However, in our experience, appointments can be difficult for our clients if they bring too many people along.

We advise you to limit your party to one or two people that you trust the most. Some of our clients prefer to come alone – it is entirely up to you.

FIRST WEDDING DRESS FITTING

You will be welcomed into our luxurious and private atelier for a personal appointment devoted to making you feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day.

During your first wedding dress fitting, we will have a chat together about your wedding dress. Your seamstress might do some pinning and we will cost the work needed to help you achieve the perfect fit.

Please bring the undergarments that you intend to wear under your dress on your wedding day, as well as your wedding shoes.

If you expect that your body shape will change, or you haven’t decided on the final details of your dress yet, please don’t worry. Everything will be discussed at your fitting and there will still be time. You are in safe hands.

What underwear should I wear with my wedding dress?2024-11-02T13:01:26+00:00

When we see you in your wedding dress we will be able to advise you on exactly what to wear.

If you are struggling at all, the key things that we suggest you remember are:

  • Always go for a bigger size for your knickers. You want them to smooth out your figure and not create any lines.
  • Opt for nude, not white. You want to try to match your skin tone, not your wedding dress.
  • 99% of the time we advise against wearing Spanx or other types of shapewear. Sometimes these might work but other times they distort your body shape and work against the natural shape of your wedding dress.
What should I bring to my first fitting?2024-11-02T12:58:59+00:00

If you are planning to wear underwear with your wedding dress please bring it along. Most wedding dresses are designed to be worn without a bra, and we can also sew in extra support to help.

Please don’t forget to bring your wedding shoes!

Wedding couple
BOOK YOUR FIRST FITTING

YOUR SECOND DRESS FITTING

Ideally, your second wedding dress fitting will take place around three weeks before your wedding day.

All the alterations on your wedding dress will be complete but at a stage where we can still alter further if necessary.

The second fitting tends to be the final one before you collect your wedding dress, depending on the final work required.

What method of payment do you accept?2024-11-03T08:26:40+00:00

We accept cash, debit or credit card.

How much do wedding dress alterations cost?2024-11-02T13:04:56+00:00

THE MODISTE’s bridal alterations experience averages around £350.

Wedding dress alterations are all based on what needs to be done to your wedding gown. Your final estimated price will be given to you at your first fitting. You can expect this average cost to increase if you require customised elements added to your gown.

Generally speaking, the typical wedding dress alterations involves being fitted to you on the bodice, the hem lifted and other classic tweaks (such as adding a bustle to help lift the train of your wedding dress for the evening reception).

Your price will also include steaming your wedding dress in preparation for your wedding day.

“Thank you all for your amazing work to perfect the fit of my wedding dress. I have never felt more confident than I did on my wedding day.

My dress fit perfectly. I felt so comfortable all day.”

Fiona, wedding gown alterations

COLLECTING YOUR WEDDING DRESS

Your Big Day is here: your wedding gown is ready for you! Your collection appointment is a lovely moment to truly feel the excitement.

We will invite you to try on your wedding dress to check it is 100% perfect one final time. If any further tweaks are required, we will have a personal seamstress on standby for you whilst you wait.

We will also provide you with advice and answer any questions you may have. From wedding dress storage to what to do with your dress after your wedding, we are always happy to help.

And now, you are ready for your wedding day.

Congratulations!

Do you do alterations for bridesmaids or Mother of the Brides?2024-11-02T13:07:32+00:00

Yes we do, but we advise you to have these dress alterations booked in and done early.

As we get into the summer season, our brides are our top priority and so you may find we have limited availability.

We also operate an online bridesmaid dress alterations service. This mail order service is particularly helpful if your bridesmaids are based in multiple locations around the UK.

When do I collect my wedding dress?2024-11-02T13:28:58+00:00

Wedding dress collection is usually scheduled during the week of your wedding.

Your wedding gown will be freshly steamed, prepped, fully checked and completely ready for your big day.

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